Sylvia Grenier LeBlanc

She was born in Lewiston, Maine on June 8, 1943, to Gerard and Annonciade Chenard Grenier. The sixth of eight children and one of fifty first cousins, she grew up in the close knit Lewiston Holy Family Parish. Upon graduation from high school, she began her adventure through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. She spent eight months traveling (hitchhiking!) through twenty countries - her fluent French and extroverted spirit served her well. Sylvia never met a stranger – if she didn’t already know you or wasn’t related to you, she was quick to find a connection and make a fast friend.

On August 14, 1965, she married Julien “Butch” LeBlanc and together they raised their four children on Shepley Street in Auburn, introducing them to travel and camping, and enjoying family time on Tacoma Lake. She became “mom” to many neighborhood kids, welcoming them into her kitchen and into her confidence. She took great pride in her kids’ accomplishments, on and off the baseball diamond and the ice. Sylvia appreciated beautiful things and delighted at a bargain. When she entered the workforce as a receptionist at Skelton, Taintor and Abbott, she was quickly recognized for her poise, intelligence and unmatched vocabulary. As her children grew and left the nest, her competitive spirit brought her into golf, tennis, and bowling leagues, book clubs and pickleball matches. She loved to win, and she loved the friends that these activities brought her. If her circle of family was large, the circle of friends she created was even larger – she loved each and every one.

Her grandchildren brought the next round of joy. She loved attending their hockey, field hockey, golf matches and softball games – she was always one of the loudest and staunchest supporters. She delighted in seeing their names in the paper for honor roll and track and skiing accomplishments.

Sylvia was pre-deceased by her parents and siblings Gerard, Roger, Nancy, Rachelle and Sonia. Carrying on her legacy are her husband Julien; sister Celine Duchette and her husband Gerard; brother Maurice; her children David, wife Beth and sons Joseph and Thomas; AnneMarie and Ryan Wilson and children Timothy Millett, Katherine and Adam Fox, and Connor Millett; Stephen and daughter Anna; Brian, wife Laurie Campbell and daughters Chloe and Jillian.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Good Shepherd Food bank will be gratefully accepted. The family would like to express their gratitude to the angels at Beacon Hospice and Clover Health Care. Their careful tending of Sylvia and the family brought unmeasurable comfort.

Sylvia loved life and believed in living it to its fullest. That joie de vivre, and her children and grandchildren, are her legacy.